he bitter disappointment of feeling that his brothers had
deceived him. Then he bethought him of the crystal ball. Taking it
from his pocket, he placed it on a large stone, and taking another
stone struck it with all his force. A report like that of a cannon
followed, and at the same instant the unicorn stood before him.

"I warned you of what would happen," he said to Hans. "You would have
done much better if you had left your brothers in the tree. Now let me
see what can be done for you. First of all, rub that dockleaf, which
is touching your right hand, on the wound in your head." Hans did as
he was told, and his head became as sound as ever. "Now," said the
unicorn, "you must go straight home to your mother and bring her to
the city of White Towers, and stay there till you hear from me again."

"But," said Hans, with tears in his eyes, "how can I do that? My
mother is much too ill to move, and I have lost the sparkling golden
water which was to have made her well and strong."

"Did not I see you," asked the unicorn, "put some sand and stones of
pure gold into your pocket as you went to the fountain? There will be
more than enough to meet all your expenses. Do as I tell you," and the
unicorn, saying this, disappeared.

Hans, greatly cheered, set off once more, and finished his journey
home without any further adventures. The gold that he had with him,
not only enabled him to provide the comforts and necessaries which his
mother required, but he was able also to reward Uncle Stoltz for his
kindness. When his mother was strong enough to travel, Hans hired a
wagon, and they set off by easy stages for the city of White Towers,
there to await further news from the unicorn.

Now, the city of White Towers was at that time attracting from far and
wide every one who wanted to make his fortune. The Princess of the
city was the loveliest Princess in the world, and the richest and the
most powerful. She had given out that she would marry any one, whoever
it might be, king or beggar, who would tell her truly in the morning
the dream that she had dreamed in the night. But whoever should
compete and fail, was to forfeit all his fortune, be whipped through
the streets and out of the gate, and banished from the city on pain of
death. If, however, he had no fortune to forfeit, he was to be whipped
back again and sold into slavery. The terms were hard; but many tried
and failed, and many more, undeterred by the punishment which the